Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt an injury setback concerning Oliver Skipp ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Newcastle United.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by Alasdair Gold, with the football.london journalist revealing in a recent episode of the Gold and Guest talk Tottenham podcast that, despite Antonio Conte suggesting that the 21-year-old could be available for the visit of Eddie Howe’s side next Sunday, the midfielder does not currently look as if he will have recovered from his injury in time for the fixture.

Speaking about the current state of the England U21 international, Gold said: “I’m not exactly sure we’re going to see Oliver Skipp back quite as soon as Antonio Conte is making out.

“From everything I understand, I think Conte is putting a little bit more pressure on the medical department with his comments about [Skipp] improving.

“I think he’s definitely getting better, there’s definitely a light at the end of the tunnel, but Conte wouldn’t rule him out being back for Newcastle. What I’m told is, if he makes it for Newcastle, it will be amazing. It will be an incredible feat of improvement.”

Conte will be fuming

Considering the fact that, as previously mentioned, Conte had initially stated his hope that Skipp would be available for the Newcastle clash, the news that the midfielder could once again be ruled out as a result of his pelvic injury is sure to have left the 52-year-old fuming.

Indeed, it is clear to see that the £18m-rated academy graduate is a big part of the Italian’s first-team plans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the 21-year-old featuring in all but one of the 14 fixtures in which he has been available for selection under the management of Conte.

Furthermore, the former Inter Milan, Juventus and Italy coach has also stated his belief that Skipp could develop into one of the top midfielders in world football, commenting on the £25k-per-week dynamo back in December:

“I think that the present and the future depends on him. If he wants to become a top midfielder, he could become a top midfielder – but he has to continue to work. He has this will, this desire to become an important player for Tottenham for the present and for the future.”

As such, the news that Skipp could remain sidelined for the Newcastle clash is sure to come as a huge blow to the 52-year-old, who will undoubtedly be hoping to get the central midfielder back into his starting XI as quickly as possible.

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